Bond University

School Description

RIGHT NOW, this moment, the world is changing. Big changes, small changes, climate changes, gear changes… The future belongs to those that are making history now, the quick thinkers acting on their feet now, and the innovators blazing new trails now. With so much happening in the world, why wouldn’t you learn from right now?

The way we learn at Bond University means you’ll never be left behind. You’ll experience things at Bond that will push you forward. At Bond University, you will learn how to learn in the now. We are challenging, volunteering, practicing and collaborating. RIGHT NOW, you could learn from everyone and everything from a university that values now.

As Australia’s first private non-profit university, Bond University seeks to be recognised internationally as a leading independent university, imbued with a spirit to innovate, a commitment to influence and a dedication to inspire tomorrow’s professionals who share a personalised and transformational student experience.

Why Bond?

Because we do things differently.From a student perspective, Bond University stands alone. The reason why? Well, actually there are three of them, all which add up to a far better university experience and outcome for you - regardless of which field of study you choose.

FINISH YOUR DEGREE SOONERAt Bond, you won’t be losing time with long breaks between semesters. We run three full semesters a year, with intakes in January, May and September. This means for certain programs you can complete 12-subject master’s in just a year. It also means you don’t have to wait until next February or July to get started on your degree. If you’re ready to get your future underway, our next intake is just around the corner.

BE MENTORED BY WORLD LEADING ACADEMICSBond’s personalised teaching philosophy means you will learn in smaller class sizes with unprecedented one-on-one access to your professors. Even outside class time, our academics have an open door policy that means they will not only know you by name, they’ll actively mentor your progress.

GRADUATE BETTER PREPAREDAt Bond, we believe education goes beyond the classroom. Part of our unique approach is to help you develop a strong foundation of leadership attributes that will prepare you for success and rapid career progression. This is why our graduates are the first choice for many employers. They are immediately distinguishable in the workplace for their confidence, maturity, global awareness, communication skills and leadership qualities. Bond sets you up to succeed.

LLM

The Master of Laws is a postgraduate law qualification that provides maximum flexibility and choice with a wide range of specialist areas, meaning you can design your master’s degree to suit your area of interest and professional needs.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Laws program is offered to those with a professional law qualification (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor or equivalent).
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Master of Laws is a postgraduate law qualification that provides maximum flexibility and choice with a wide range of specialist areas, meaning you can design your master’s degree to suit your area of interest and professional needs. Those looking to expand their knowledge in a particular area will benefit from investigating contemporary legal issues, from both international and local perspectives, while developing their legal research and writing skills.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
You must complete 8 subjects:
Compulsory Law Subject (1)
Advanced Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing
Law Electives (7)
Students must choose seven subjects from the list of postgraduate law electives.
Students may also wish to undertake a specialisation within their degree, choosing four law subjects within an approved study area. These include: Canadian Law and Practice Corporate and Commercial Law and Practice Dispute Resolution International Business and Finance Law Students are able to opt out of a specialisation but must take all electives (total 70cp) from the postgraduate offerings in the Faculty of Law. No general electives are offered in this program. If appropriate supervision is available, you may elect to replace two elective subjects with a minor dissertation upon approval by the Faculty of Law. PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES The Master of Laws provides a postgraduate qualification that broadens a graduate’s or practitioner’s knowledge in a chosen area of specialisation.
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The Master of Laws (by Research) program is comprised of a 50,000 word research thesis, completed over two years full time. The thesis is supervised by expert staff in the subject area.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Laws (by Research) is offered to those with a professional law qualification (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor or equivalent). Applications are required to have at least 65 per cent average and / or extensive professional experience.
An applicant may be required to satisfy the Dean that they have the appropriate level of research skills to write a thesis of up to 50,000 words.
Admission is on the basis of an approved research proposal and availability of appropriate supervision.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Master of Laws (by Research) program can be completed via a 50,000 word research thesis. While the Faculty can offer supervision in most areas of law, it has particular strengths in:
Corporate and Commercial Law
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Dispute Resolution
International Trade Law
Intellectual Property, Information Technology and E-Commerce
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The Master of Laws (by Research) program is comprised of a 50,000 word research thesis, completed over two years full time. The thesis is supervised by expert staff in the subject area.
PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES
The Master of Laws (by Research) provides a specialist postgraduate qualification to broaden an undergraduate law qualification.
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PhD

The Doctor of Legal Science (Research) program is a combination of coursework (two semesters) and a 50,000 word thesis (two to seven semesters). The research element of the program must be a significant contribution to the knowledge or understanding of an aspect of law.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have a Master of Laws degree, or a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree with an Honours average of at least 75 per cent or an equivalent grade elsewhere.
An applicant may be required to satisfy the Dean that they have the appropriate level of research skills to undertake the qualification, which includes writing a thesis of between 50,000 and 80,000 words.
Admission is on the basis of an approved research proposal and availability of appropriate supervision. Applicants are required to complete up to six subjects listed under the Master of Laws before undertaking the thesis component of the degree. Alternatively, admission may be awarded through transferring from the Master of Laws coursework to the thesis component of the research. Applicants will have achieved an average of at least 75 per cent in the Master of Laws coursework. PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Applicants must complete:
Up to six electives chosen from the subjects listed under Master of Laws.
A written research thesis of between 50,000 - 80,000 words (depending upon the number of electives undertaken), which represents a substantial contribution to the exposition, knowledge and understanding of the field of study and which demonstrates a capacity for independent research.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
This program is a doctoral-level degree. It is possible to elect to do fewer subjects in exchange for writing a longer thesis (approximately 5000 words are added to the thesis length for each subject dropped).
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Juris Doctor

The Juris Doctor is a professional legal qualification which prepares you to become a legal professional in the corporate, government, community or not for profit sectors, both within Australia and overseas.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A prior degree in any discipline. Applicants are required to have at least a 70 per cent grade average in an undergraduate degree. Consideration is also given to relevant work experience and referees’ reports on the suitability of the applicant for studying law.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Juris Doctor is a professional legal qualification which prepares you to become a legal professional in the corporate, government, community or not for profit sectors, both within Australia and overseas. Bond’s Juris Doctor provides an engaging learning experience that both challenges students academically and prepares them practically for a legal career. Our unique integrated Legal Skills Program is part of the Juris Doctor and focuses on core skills essential to the practice of law. The individual modules are taught in conjunction with relevant legal subjects over a number of semesters during your degree. These include:
Oral communication and presentation
Legal research and analysis
Legal writing and drafting
Negotiation
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Compulsory Law Subjects (20)
The 20 compulsory subjects cover all the ‘Priestley Eleven’ areas required to practise law in Australia.
Administrative Law
Australian Legal System
Bookkeeping and Trust Accounts*
Business Associations
Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law
Corporations Law
Criminal Law and Procedure A
Criminal Law and Procedure B
Equity
Evidence
Land Law
Law of Civil Remedies
Law of Obligations
Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct*
Legal Skills
Personal Property Transactions
Principles of Contractual Liability
Principles of Tortious Liability
Property Law
Law Elective Subjects (5)
A wide range of law elective subjects are offered. Various specialisations are available, including:
Canadian Law and Practice
Corporate and Commercial Law and Practice
Dispute Resolution
International Business and Finance Law
Legal Practice
*Half-unit subject.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCEClinical legal subjects are available as electives, with students placed in legal settings, working under the supervision of a practising lawyer. The faculty also encourages you to complete clerkships or internships with law firms during your holidays, but these do not form part of program requirements. Our career development specialists are available to assist you in your search for a suitable placement.
PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES
Some students will plan to seek admission as a lawyer on the completion of their Juris Doctor, while others will be well established in their careers and will be undertaking the Juris Doctor in order to enhance their career options.
The Bond Law Juris Doctor is specifically designed to develop well rounded legal practitioners equipped with the practical legal skills to take leading positions in both the public and private sectors. Our graduates are employed in top tier law firms throughout Australia and across 38 countries (including the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Scandinavia, France, China and Malaysia) as solicitors in private practice, associates to Supreme and High Court justices, barristers, government lawyers, in-house counsel academics and business leaders. You are encouraged to focus on the specific areas of study that you feel best serve your future career path. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION In conjunction with further study (Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice) and meeting the requirements of the Legal Practitioner Boards of the various Australian states and territories, the Juris Doctor is an approved degree for purposes of admission as a legal practitioner. This degree can also be used to gain admission in certain other jurisdictions; however, you are advised to confirm admission requirements in the particular jurisdiction in which you wish to practise. FURTHER POSTGRADUATE STUDY Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, also know as Professional Legal Training (PLT), is the link between your law degree and becoming a practising lawyer in under a year. You’ll also receive extensive , individualised help to find a placement.
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